Ian David Rosenbaum

Last month, Sandbox Percussion traveled to the Phillips Collection in Washington DC. The Phillips hosts the longest-running concert series in DC, and it is one of the most gorgeous rooms that I have ever played in. They also boast one of the most supportive audiences that I’ve ever experienced. From the moment we walked on stage, the energy and excitement were palpable. Things got a little crazy during a performance Steve Reich’s Drumming…a retired meteorologist ran up to the front of the room, waved hello to us, and then proceeded to dance an ecstatic and completely incredible jig in front of the audience. That’s a first for us…

The Washington Post was there, and check out what they had to say about the show. I also gave a performance of the first three movements of Andy Akiho‘s LIgNEouS suite with the Amphion String Quartet, a performance that we will repeat at St. Bart’s in NYC on April 25th.

My good friend and collaborator Paola Prestini just had a wonderful article in Vanity Fair written about her and her new venue, National Sawdust. In a companion piece, she listed 7 of her favorite emerging artists, and I’m honored to be among them.

From Paola,

“Let’s talk about rhythm. Ian David Rosenbaum is without doubt one of the best new percussionists on the scene. (He’s also—yes—another National Sawdust curator.) His rise has been meteoric—he can play absolutely anything, as he proved to me yet again when he performed in my piece, Epiphany. I love that Ian’s not just waiting around for people to ask him to perform; he’s defining the trajectory of his career by seeking out and discovering artists he’d like to work with. Bonus points for the fact that he’s wrapping up his third year of The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s CMS Two program—he’s only the second percussionist to have been invited to become a member. In the circles I run in, that is a very big deal.”

Check the whole thing out here - http://www.vanityfair.com/style/2015/12/the-7-emerging-artists-you-should-know-about-according-to-national-sawdust-creative-director-paola-prestini

Tomorrow afternoon is a special one – Pulitzer Prize-winning composer John Luther Adams‘ Strange and Sacred Noise at Trinity Wall Street with Sandbox Percussion.

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A few weeks ago, I sat down with Casey Cangelosi and the rest of his team at the @percussion podcast to talk about what I do, and what’s going on in the percussion and new music world. It was a great conversation – check it out!

I’m writing from Pittsburgh, where the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble‘s 40th season begins this weekend. Playing with this group is always a highlight of the year for me – the PNME team finds an unbelievable blend of theatricality and music, and the result is deeply meaningful. We’re presenting four programs this month, and we open with a world premiere evening-length show by Kieren MacMillan. The piece is a tribute to a longtime PNME patron, and Kieren’s score tears me to pieces every time we play it. Please join us if you’re in the area – first-time audience members get their tickets on the house.
The season also includes premieres by Dan Visconti and our founder David Stock, along with works by Gyorgy Ligeti, Kevin Puts, Steve Reich, Roger Zahab, and much more. If you’re in or near Pittsburgh this month, check us out. See our full season here.

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